As Princess Cruises celebrates 50 years of cruising in Australia, Grand Princess is counting down to her anticipated return to local waters in almost 100 days.
Grand Princess will be Australia’s next year-round ship offering cruises around Australia, New Zealand (Aotearoa), South Pacific and longer voyages like the 79-Day Circle Pacific which includes Hawaii, Alaska, Japan and Southeast Asia – bringing her unique blend of classic cruise traditions, premium dining and elevated onboard experiences to Australian guests.
“Few ships in our fleet embody the history and traditions of Princess Cruises quite like Grand Princess. As we celebrate 50 years in Australia, it’s fitting a ship so closely connected to our heritage will be welcoming guests year-round to some of the world’s most spectacular destinations,” said Matthew Rutherford, Princess Cruises Vice President Asia Pacific.
Ahead of her arrival, here are seven things that set Grand Princess apart:
1. She was once the largest and most expensive passenger ship in the world
When Grand Princess debuted in 1998, she was one of the largest and most expensive passenger ships ever built. Her arrival marked a new era for cruising and helped redefine what guests could expect from a holiday at sea.
2. Her godmother is Hollywood royalty
Grand Princess was christened by Academy Award-winning actress and Hollywood legend Olivia de Havilland, adding a touch of silver-screen glamour to the ship’s storied history.
3. She launched an entire class of ships
Grand Princess was the first of Princess Cruises’ Grand Class ships, setting a design standard that would influence cruise ship development for years to come. More than 25 years later, she remains one of the most recognisable ships in the Princess fleet.
4. You can walk all the way around the ship
A favourite feature among experienced cruisers, Grand Princess offers a full wraparound promenade deck, complete with traditional timber decking, allowing guests to stroll the entire perimeter of the ship while taking in uninterrupted ocean views.
5. Her size is part of her appeal
Grand Princess occupies a sweet spot – her mid-sized design allows access to a wider range of ports and destinations that can be challenging for larger vessels to visit, while still offering the dining, entertainment and relaxation experiences Princess is known for.
6. She has sailed the equivalent of around the world 130 times
Since entering service in 1998, Grand Princess has travelled almost 3 million nautical miles, the equivalent of circling the globe around 130 times. Over more than a quarter of a century, she has welcomed millions of guests and sailed to some of the world’s most sought-after destinations, from Alaska and the Mediterranean to Australia and New Zealand.
7. She serves 10,000 meals every day
A cruise ship is effectively a floating city, and feeding thousands of guests is no small feat. Menus aboard Grand Princess are planned more than a year in advance, helping the culinary team deliver 10,000+ meals every day. In a typical 7-day cruise, that’s 20 tonnes of fresh fruit and veg, 3000 pizzas, 5000 cups of coffee, 2000 lobster tails and almost 30,000 eggs. It wouldn’t be an Australian sailing without Vegemite either, with more than 100 jars enjoyed by guests each week.
“Australians have always had a strong affinity for Grand Princess because she delivers the timeless cruise experience that first made so many people fall in love with cruising”, said Rutherford.
“Her return marks an exciting new chapter as we continue celebrating 50 years of Princess Cruises in Australia.”
Princess Cruises has been sailing from Australia since 1975 and continues to be one of the country’s most recognised cruise brands. As the line celebrates 50 years in Australia, Grand Princess returns to local waters carrying the heritage, traditions and timeless experiences that have defined Princess cruising for generations.
Book a Princess Cruise on Grand Princess
A Grand Offer: Receive up to $600 Bonus Onboard Spending money per stateroom on select Grand Princess sailings from Brisbane. Plus, you’ll also receive the 2027 Cruise Sale offers, including up to $250 air credit per person twin share and up to $150 shore excursion credit per stateroom. Offer runs 23-29 July, 2026. Terms and conditions apply, visit princess.com for details.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available by visiting princess.com or connecting with a professional travel advisor, by calling 13 24 88. Travel agents are encouraged to call 1300 587 473 or visit onesourcecruises.com.au
